the country's current president says mandela is doing fine and there is no cause for alarm. the 94-year-old was last admitted to the hospital in february. >>> new duelling arguments today in the fiscal cliff war of words. with just 24 days and counting, president obama and senator marco rubio in the republican address are racheting up the rhetoric. >> we can and should do more than just extend middle class tax cuts. and i stand ready to work with republicans or a plan that spurs economic growth, creates jobs and reduces our deficit. a plan that gives both sides some of what they want. >> tax increases will not solve our $16 trillion debt. only economic growth and a reform of entitlement programs will help control the debt. we must reform our complicated, uncertain job-killing tax code by getting rid of unjustifi loo holls. >> molly ball and david nakamura. thanks for joining me. >> good to be here. >> david so house speaker john boehner says there's no progress to report. the white house says republicans are to blame for dragging their feet. it seems at least publicly we're